Pepes improve in loss

 THE Papua New Guinea  may have lost their third game of the Pacific Netball Series to Fiji but they have improved in the eyes of coach Annie Iamo.

The Pepes lost 59-49 to the pre-tournament favourites but importantly reduced the margin to 10 points from the 23 they went down  by in last month’s Tri Series in Fiji (65-42).

Iamo had said before the series that improving against the regions top netball sides was the main aim. 

The win by the Pearls continues their unbeaten record of three from three after the first round one. 

Round two starts today.

Iamo commended her team for a gutsy performance. 

Pepes fought tooth and nail for a possible upset but the Pearls should they are the regions leading netball side by doing enough to get the win.

Fiji held a two-point lead after the first quarter at 15-13 with the Pepes competitive. 

The Pearls extended the lead to eight at 28-20 by halftime.

The Pepes faded a little in the third to trail 44-32 by its end before a big effort in the final quarter saw them actually win it (17-15).

Fijians suffered a set back when  captain and goal keeper Matila Waqanidrola left the court injured and could miss the remainder of the series.“We slackened in the third quarter,” Iamo said from Rarotonga last night. 

Pepes first choice line-up of Brisbane-based Tiata Baldwin at goal shooter, Lua Rikis at goal attack, Marinama Maha at wing attack, Winnie Mavara at centre, Courtney Abel playing goal defence, veteran Kilala Owen at goal defence and Susan Wellington at goal keeper wne tblow for blow in the first quarter.

Gasi Moka was introduced in the second half replacing Maha while captain Mavara moved from centre to wing attack. Iamo singled out Lua Rikis, who again put in an inspired performance to lead the scoring.

“Lua and goal keeper Susan Wellington were the best players on court tonight and I could not ask for more than an improved performance from the team,” Iamo said of her players.

Rikis started off as goal attack in the first two quarters and was later switched to goal shooter while Baldwin moved to goal attack.

The switching of both women throughout the course of the game was an effective ploy by Iamo.

Rikis was dominant under the hoop against the Cook Islands on Tuesday and carried that form against Fiji. The Pepes have to beat Samoa and Cook Islands in the second round of matches to keep their hopes of a World Cup appearance alive.